Fiber-supported ion exchanger

Abstract

Ion exchange materials are prepared by retaining a vinyl monomer solution within the interstices of a fiber structure, such as a woven or non-woven fabric, polymerizing these monomers in the presence of an organic solvent sparingly soluble or totally insoluble in water to form a macroreticular polymer, and functionalizing the macroreticular polymer with an ion exchange functional group.

We claim: 
     
       1. Ion exchanger comprising a macroporous structure of fibers having interstices between the individual fibers thereof, and disposed within said interstices and adhered to said fibers, a macroreticular, crosslinked polymer derived from polyvinyl monomers or a mixture of monovinyl and polyvinyl monomers and bearing ion exchange functional groups. 
     
     
       2. The ion exchanger of claim 1 wherein the macroporous structure of fibers is a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
       3. The ion exchanger of claim 1 wherein the macroporous structure of fibers is a woven fabric. 
     
     
       4. The ion exchanger of claim 1 wherein the ion exchange functional group is a cation exchange group. 
     
     
       5. The ion exchanger of claim 1 wherein the ion exchange functional group is an anion exchange group. 
     
     
       6. The ion exchanger of claim 1 wherein the fibers are synthetic fibers. 
     
     
       7. The ion exchanger of claim 6 wherein the synthetic fibers are polyolefin fibers. 
     
     
       8. The ion exchanger of claim 7 wherein the polyolefin fibers are polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
       9. The ion exchangers of claim 7 wherein the polyolefin fibers are polypropylene fibers. 
     
     
       10. A method for the manufacture of an ion exchanger which comprises: (a) causing a solution containing polyvinyl monomers or a mixture of monovinyl and polyvinyl monomers to be retained in the interstices between the fibers of the macroporous structure of fibers in the presence of a polymerizing initiator and an organic solvent sparingly soluble or totally insoluble in water;   (b) polymerizing in an aqueous medium the monomer retained in the interstices between the fibers of the fiber structure; and   (c) introducing an ion exchange group into the resultant polymer.   
     
     
       11. The method of claim 10 wherein the oganic solvent sparingly soluble or totally insoluble in water is methyl isobutyl carbinol. 
     
     
       12. The method of claim 10 wherein the organic solvent sparingly soluble or totally insoluble in water is toluene. 
     
     
       13. The method of claim 10 wherein the fibers are synthetic fibers. 
     
     
       14. The method of claim 13 wherein the synthetic fibers are polyolefin fibers. 
     
     
       15. The method of claim 14 wherein the polyolefin fibers are polyethylene fibers. 
     
     
       16. The method of claim 14 wherein the polyolefin fibers are polypropylene fibers. 
     
     
       17. A method for removal of ions from a solution which comprises contacting the solution containing the ions with an ion exchanger comprising a macroporous structure of fibers having interstices between the individual fibers thereof, and disposed within said interstices and adhered to said fibers, a macroreticular, crosslinked polymer derived from polyvinyl monomers or a mixture of monovinyl and polyvinyl monomers and bearing ion exchange functional groups.